Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-14
THE PULPIT.
Two Of Yesterdays Most Able Dis
courses.
Rev. w. y. Marquis breaches an El0-
quent Sermon on socialism and
fvs Remeaies--A Preacher Of EARLY
Days az the First Church.
CONN UNIsM AND SOCIALISM

1
At the Broadway Presbyterian church |
morning. Rev. W 8. Marquis
preached an able and eloquent sermon
rom the subject. the Comm unism of
he Primitive Church: Has it Any Sug-
seslions for the Solution of Existing Sor
,ial Pfohlems?" Mr. Marquis took his
ext from Acts 2:44>45 and Acts 4;32-35.
In the days of the communism of the
church, in that fervid fame Of
holy enthusiasm, kindled by the Pentis
costal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Mr..
Marquis said all class distinctions and
barriers of prejudice were burned away.
and avarice withered be
fore this same fire from heaven. None
cared to boast; the things he possessed
were his own They were the Lords;
they were his brethren's. They had ''all
things in common" Thus it appears
that the first effect of Christianity upon
society was communism. Communism
is word that does not stand in good
favor today 1t is related in most mems
minds with radical socialism, nihilism
and anarchy, OF which we have been
hearing so much. and seeing something
recently. But it need hardly be ssid now
that this Christian communism is as diff
ferent from the Paris commune. Russian
nihilism and German socialism, as day is
from night or as heaven is from hell.
Indeed one is begotten in heaven, and
the other in hell. One is animated by
love. and the other is fired by intensest
hate
The cardinal doctrines which makes
socialism. nihilism and communism akin
are just these two-greater fraternity
among men. and more even handed
distribution of this worlds goods. Were
not these exactly the prominent charac-
terstics of the primitive church, Hence,
the speaker said. Christianity and these
modern socialists are aiming at the same
thing. The former, the true, the peace
full, the God-sppointed way to achieve the
brotherhood of man, and the community
of goods; the latter the worlds way, and
like all the ways of the world. way of
violence, hatred and failure. for instead
of promoting benevolence and brother-
hood, it hegets greater bitterness and
bloodshed.
The first thing We note in this prlmi-
tive communism is, it was purely volun-
tary The second point to be noted is.
it did not advocate the rights of private
property. A third fact to be marked is
the harmony between the christian COM
munism and Christ's law OF love. The
natural fruitage of snch principles rs
these operating freely in human life
| would BE just such a unity and communi
tv of goods as the primitive church ex'
hibited. The whole history of the early
| church is an illustration of these doe.
| trines. Strange to say in proportions al
| her ability increased, the charity of thu
| christian church decreased until it sanl
| to point when the church was the mos
rapscious, svaricious and oppressive in
| stitution in the land Mark this, then, i
was that there began to be heard TIT
mutterings of the modern commune.
Christian communism is what is needed
to solve some of our most serious socia
problems. Communism not of the re-
flag, but of the white cross. We nee
its brotherhood to break down the barr
ers of class distinction, and draw human
ity closer together. That brotherly low
would result in the solution of that otht
grave problem-the more even distribu
ton of wealth.
Mr. Marquis recognized the fact th'
legislation had its work to do in solvin
these problems We need laws govern
ing the accumulation and depressing Il
outrages of gigantic monopolies owe
riding the rights of individuals and 81
ciety. But he did not believe that al
human scheme could ever quiet the cel
tiict between capital AMI labor, Whit
does not make christianlike love, its d
imating principle, neither will any pls
for equalization of wealth succeed, whit
: does not recognize the doctrine. til
mems rights in property are only t
right of steward This perfect state
brotherly love and charity cannot be pit
fectly realized ON earth. But does
therefore follow that it is not the thi
to be aimed at? In proportion as ca
individual christian, and church reali.
these conditions, will they have helped
bring in that christian communism viii
will drive out nihilism, socialism a
anarchy. In conclusion, Mr.. Marql
said:
There is a positive work for ev.
christian and every church to do
quelling anarchy and putting out
fires of hate burning under society. I
solemn event which happened last VT
emphasizes every word ! have uttert
Let MS not dream that because four
these anarchists are dead that anarchy
dead The multitude of friends "
prayed for Communication, the thre
made, the cry from the scaffold, "Lc
live Anarchy" are enough to prove i
not. Hanging, though just and impe
tive, is not the cure for anarchy.
selfshness, the oppression, the avari
the heartless cruelty. these things VIII
really produce it must be removed.
move the thorn and the fostering
cease. Every christian has part to
in removing.
PIONEER IN TIE PULPIT
The First Methodist church was cro'
ed yesterday morning to hear serr
= by the Rev Elnathan c. Gavitt, vel
able minister of Toledo, Ohio, who
has been stated in the ARGUS before,
been in this vicinity recently pawn
farewell visit and noting the wonde
prosperity and development of coun
pioneers, missionaries and settlers.